After a while, the floor Satoshi was on began to fill with more teams, trainers and Pokémon moving about in a steady stream. It still wasn't crowded—some top-ten teams didn't even bother showing up, each having their own things to attend to.
For example, not even a single member of Ave Mujica, that strong duo, appeared.
Some teams would look for temporary members to raise their rankings, but Ave Mujica had made the top ten with just two members—clearly, they had absolute confidence in their strength.
"What a shame…"
Satoshi sighed softly. If he'd caught hold of powerful trainers like them, he'd drag them into Pokémon battles every single day, mutually improving their skills.
Sadly, not even one showed up. He wasn't sure when he'd get the chance to see them again.
Next time I see them, I've got to build a good relationship! Dragging them to train from morning until night!
In Satoshi's heart, a passionate fire quietly surged, his determination and desire crystallizing clearly.
"Hm? It suddenly got cold...what's going on?" At that moment, Sakiko, busy with her EcoDome staff duties far away, couldn't help but shiver from an unexpected chill.
Could it be...Satoshi's thinking of me?
At that thought, Togawa Sakiko's face flushed slightly, the earlier incident still lingering vividly in her mind. She had already turned into a state of "Satoshi filling every corner of her brain."
Her eyes gently settled on the ring on her right ring finger.
The multicolored [Key Stone] sparkled brightly, incredibly eye-catching.
Sakiko hadn't taken the ring off. It was a gift from Satoshi, after all—she didn't feel like removing it so quickly. Of course, she'd have to remove it before school; otherwise, she'd be buried under absurd rumors the next day.
What exactly is the meaning behind this stone?
According to Satoshi, this stone contained mysterious power and would someday make her stronger.
But as far as Sakiko knew, these stones had no clear, practical use. They only produced unusual resonance when in contact with similar stones. Many professors had studied them without results, and gradually, their existence had been forgotten.
Forget it… How does Satoshi see me? If I hadn't left the Togawa family, our engagement probably would've continued. But now...he probably already has another fiancée.
I'm only a student. Could I really shoulder another person's entire life?
Sakiko never regretted her choice. Rather than staying with the stubborn Togawa family, becoming an Elite Four—or beyond—with her own strength was true power.
Only then could she avenge her father, destroying Team Rocket and the Togawa family along with it.
Extreme?
It should've happened long ago!
The Rocket-aligned Togawa family should be banished entirely—none left behind!
Tatakae!(Fight!)
But still…
Sakiko bashfully lowered her eyes, delicate eyelashes trembling softly, her heart fluttering with nervous anticipation.
If I become an Elite Four, maybe then I can openly stay by Satoshi's side…
...
Once enough people gathered, battles naturally began.
Rainbow Wing Battle Café operated similarly to Paldea's Treasure Eatery, where the tatami area in the middle could be quickly converted into a Pokémon battlefield.
Rainbow Wing Café's arena was even larger than the one at Treasure Eatery.
After all, the Paldea region didn't particularly value Pokémon battles, lagging behind other regions in every battle-related aspect.
Ever since Satoshi learned Paldea's Elite Four included a nine-year-old girl, he'd completely lost faith in their battling credibility.
Galar really was the way to go!
Galar yes! Paldea no!
Oh wait...Galar didn't have an Elite Four. Never mind.
"I finally got Satoshi's contact info!" Karen happily waved her phone around.
"Yeah, you can contact me anytime—I'm always happy to battle with you."
"Really~? Then, can I start living at your place from tomorrow onward? From morning until night..."
Karen blushed bashfully as she finished her sentence, but as soon as Satoshi heard it, he was delighted.
Stay together from morning to night? Such a good trainer wants to battle me constantly?
He naturally wanted to say yes.
"Of course—"
"No way!" ×2
Before he could even finish, Soyo and Anon jumped in simultaneously to shut it down.
"Ah, guess not then."
After hearing that, Satoshi calmed down again.
After all, I'm with MYGO. It wouldn't be right to hang around with someone from another team every single day.
This girl unexpectedly knew exactly what she was doing…though to Satoshi, it didn't really matter that much.
As long as she didn't suddenly start reminiscing with him. Otherwise, it'd become…
"That sounds nice, doesn't it?"
"Oh, that's wonderful."
Back then, when Kagura Hikari had casually brought up strange conversations mid-battle, he'd completely frozen up.
The "Super Rookie" was unbeatable at everything—except he suffered from memory loss!
Having exchanged contacts with Karen, Satoshi turned his attention to the others. By this point, the café had set up two spacious battle arenas, with many trainers itching to step onto the field.
This restaurant was now essentially filled with Rainbow Wing Academy's strongest students and Pokémon.
Snorlax, Basculegion, Mr. Rime… Pokémon with pretty high base stats—probably stronger than typical outside elite trainers, almost at school Elite Four levels.
If this group attacked together, even Team Rocket probably wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Now then! The doubles-friendly match is officially open! Any couples or close partners wanna join? We've got amazing prizes! Everyone participating gets a Great Ball, and the champions get a TM for [Dragon Dance]! Come join enthusiastically!"
The cheerful MC was explaining the rules and rewards—but Satoshi suddenly noticed something extremely frightening.
"Ryū no Mai? Wait, wasn't it [Doragon Dansu]?!"
Had he actually remembered the move's name wrong all these years?
For a moment, Satoshi fell into confusion over his past mistakes—but didn't dwell long.
Whatever, I'll just call it [Doragon Dansu] from now on.
That sounded way cooler anyway. Imagine roaring [Doragon Dansu] on the battlefield—it might even lower the opponent Pokémon's Special Attack out of sheer intimidation!
Raising your momentum while lowering the enemy's Special Attack—two birds with one stone!
But more importantly than that, what caught Satoshi's attention was…
"Couples? Where would you even find those here? Aren't we all trainers from the top ten teams? Would any of us really be dating?"
He casually commented on the MC's words, only to suddenly realize that in the previously relaxed atmosphere, six pairs of eyes had simultaneously turned sharply toward him.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
How has he seriously not noticed anything yet? He's too dense.
The girls couldn't help but share that exact same thought.
"Nothing~ Hey, Satoshi, wanna join the match with me? We can pretend to be lovers for a bit and participate together!"
---
T/N:
"Looks like this is the last day you'll be hearing from me—for now, at least."
"Bonus chapters will be released tomorrow, so if you've been hoarding your patience, you won't have to for much longer."
"If you want to support the translator, there's still Patreon: patreon.com/wisetl. It's optional support—early access is just a side benefit, not an obligation."
"And don't forget the Powerstone deal: every 100 Powerstones = 1 bonus chapter (100ps = 1 chp, 200ps = 2 chp, 300ps = 3 chp, and so on). If you want more chapters after tomorrow… you know what to do."
"If you'd rather talk than throw stones, the Discord is open: discord.gg/wisetl. Go scream, speculate, or bully the translator about cliffhangers there instead of in your heart."
say bye bye and thank you to maomao!!